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Ma R, Ma S, Liu H, Hu L, Li Y, He K, Zhu Y. Seasonal changes in invertebrate diet of breeding black-necked cranes ( Grus nigricollis). Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e70234. [PMID: 39219571 PMCID: PMC11362503 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.70234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2024] [Revised: 08/06/2024] [Accepted: 08/14/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Invertebrates greatly support the growth, development, and reproduction of insectivorous birds. However, the influence of human activity (e.g., pesticide use, deforestation, and urbanization) inevitably leads to a decrease in global arthropods. The diversity and variation in invertebrate diet influence the food composition of birds, especially species living in rapidly changing environments, such as the Tibetan Plateau. However, little is known of the seasonal variation in invertebrate diet in response to environmental changes. Here, we characterized the invertebrate diet composition in pre- and post-breeding black-necked crane (Grus nigricollis) using fecal metabarcoding. We identified 38 invertebrate genera; the top three were Tipula (82.1% of relative abundance), Ceramica (3.0%), and unclassified_Hymenoptera (2.5%), with Tipula predominated the diet in both seasons. We also observed 20 and 16 unique genera in the pre- and post-breeding periods, and the genera composition was distinct between seasons (R = .036, p = .024). In pre-breeding, black-necked cranes tended to consume more diverse foods, and individual cranes exhibited greater heterogeneity at the genus level. At the genera and species level, pre-breeding black-necked cranes showed a wider dietary niche than post-breeding cranes. We observed season-specific features, with Tipula (common crane fly) and Stethophyma (grasshoppers) being enriched in the post-breeding period and Ceramica (moth) being more abundant in the pre-breeding period. Three Tipula species had the greatest importance in discriminating between seasonal diets. This study demonstrated a seasonal pattern of invertebrate diet in the black-necked crane, suggesting diet composition in response to resource and species availability. These results elaborate on the foraging ecology of highland birds and can inform the management of black-necked crane conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruifeng Ma
- College of Grassland Resources, Institute of Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau, Sichuan Provincial Forest and Grassland Key Laboratory of Alpine Grassland Conservation and Utilization of Qinghai‐Tibetan PlateauSouthwest Minzu UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Shujuan Ma
- College of Grassland Resources, Institute of Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau, Sichuan Provincial Forest and Grassland Key Laboratory of Alpine Grassland Conservation and Utilization of Qinghai‐Tibetan PlateauSouthwest Minzu UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Hongyi Liu
- The Co‐Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, College of Life SciencesNanjing Forestry UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Lei Hu
- College of Grassland Resources, Institute of Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau, Sichuan Provincial Forest and Grassland Key Laboratory of Alpine Grassland Conservation and Utilization of Qinghai‐Tibetan PlateauSouthwest Minzu UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Yudong Li
- Sichuan Province Laboratory for Natural Resources Protection and Sustainable UtilizationSichuan Provincial Academy of Natural Resource SciencesChengduChina
| | - Ke He
- College of Animal Science and Technology, College of Veterinary MedicineZhejiang A&F UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Ying Zhu
- College of Grassland Resources, Institute of Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau, Sichuan Provincial Forest and Grassland Key Laboratory of Alpine Grassland Conservation and Utilization of Qinghai‐Tibetan PlateauSouthwest Minzu UniversityChengduSichuanChina
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2
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Moreira X, Van den Bossche A, Moeys K, Van Meerbeek K, Thomaes A, Vázquez-González C, Abdala-Roberts L, Brunet J, Cousins SAO, Defossez E, De Pauw K, Diekmann M, Glauser G, Graae BJ, Hagenblad J, Heavyside P, Hedwall PO, Heinken T, Huang S, Lago-Núñez B, Lenoir J, Lindgren J, Lindmo S, Mazalla L, Naaf T, Orczewska A, Paulssen J, Plue J, Rasmann S, Spicher F, Vanneste T, Verschuren L, Visakorpi K, Wulf M, De Frenne P. Variation in insect herbivory across an urbanization gradient: The role of abiotic factors and leaf secondary metabolites. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY : PPB 2024; 215:109056. [PMID: 39186848 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2024.109056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2024] [Revised: 07/31/2024] [Accepted: 08/17/2024] [Indexed: 08/28/2024]
Abstract
Urbanization impacts plant-herbivore interactions, which are crucial for ecosystem functions such as carbon sequestration and nutrient cycling. While some studies have reported reductions in insect herbivory in urban areas (relative to rural or natural forests), this trend is not consistent and the underlying causes for such variation remain unclear. We conducted a continental-scale study on insect herbivory along urbanization gradients for three European tree species: Quercus robur, Tilia cordata, and Fraxinus excelsior, and further investigated their biotic and abiotic correlates to get at mechanisms. To this end, we quantified insect leaf herbivory and foliar secondary metabolites (phenolics, terpenoids, alkaloids) for 176 trees across eight European cities. Additionally, we collected data on microclimate (air temperature) and soil characteristics (pH, carbon, nutrients) to test for abiotic correlates of urbanization effects directly or indirectly (through changes in plant secondary chemistry) linked to herbivory. Our results showed that urbanization was negatively associated with herbivory for Q. robur and F. excelsior, but not for T. cordata. In addition, urbanization was positively associated with secondary metabolite concentrations, but only for Q. robur. Urbanization was positively associated with air temperature for Q. robur and F. excelsior, and negatively with soil nutrients (magnesium) in the case of F. excelsior, but these abiotic variables were not associated with herbivory. Contrary to expectations, we found no evidence for indirect effects of abiotic factors via plant defences on herbivory for either Q. robur or F. excelsior. Additional biotic or abiotic drivers must therefore be accounted for to explain observed urbanization gradients in herbivory and their interspecific variation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xoaquín Moreira
- Misión Biológica de Galicia (MBG-CSIC), Apartado de Correos 28, 36080, Pontevedra, Galicia, Spain.
| | - Astrid Van den Bossche
- Forest & Nature Lab, Department of Environment, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Geraardsbergsesteenweg 267, 9090, Melle-Gontrode, Belgium
| | - Karlien Moeys
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200E, 3001, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Koenraad Van Meerbeek
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200E, 3001, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Arno Thomaes
- Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO), Gaverstraat 4, 9500, Geraardsbergen, Belgium
| | - Carla Vázquez-González
- Misión Biológica de Galicia (MBG-CSIC), Apartado de Correos 28, 36080, Pontevedra, Galicia, Spain
| | - Luis Abdala-Roberts
- Departamento de Ecología Tropical, Campus de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Apartado Postal 4-116, Itzimná, 97000, Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico
| | - Jörg Brunet
- Southern Swedish Forest Research Centre, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 190, 234 22, Lomma, Sweden
| | - Sara A O Cousins
- Department of Physical Geography, Stockholm University, 10691, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Emmanuel Defossez
- Institute of Biology, Laboratory of Functional Ecology, University of Neuchâtel, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Karen De Pauw
- Forest & Nature Lab, Department of Environment, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Geraardsbergsesteenweg 267, 9090, Melle-Gontrode, Belgium
| | - Martin Diekmann
- Institute of Ecology, FB 2, University of Bremen, James-Watt-Straße 1, 28359, Bremen, Germany
| | - Gaétan Glauser
- Neuchâtel Platform of Analytical Chemistry, University of Neuchâtel, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Bente J Graae
- Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Jenny Hagenblad
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University, SE-581 83, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Paige Heavyside
- Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Per-Ola Hedwall
- Southern Swedish Forest Research Centre, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 190, 234 22, Lomma, Sweden
| | - Thilo Heinken
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, Maulbeerallee 3, 14469, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Siyu Huang
- Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF), 15374, Muencheberg, Germany
| | - Beatriz Lago-Núñez
- Misión Biológica de Galicia (MBG-CSIC), Apartado de Correos 28, 36080, Pontevedra, Galicia, Spain
| | - Jonathan Lenoir
- UMR, CNRS 7058 'Ecologie et Dynamique des Systèmes Anthropisés' (EDYSAN), Université de Picardie Jules Verne, 1 Rue des Louvels, F-80037, Amiens, France
| | - Jessica Lindgren
- Department of Physical Geography, Stockholm University, 10691, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sigrid Lindmo
- Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Leonie Mazalla
- Institute of Ecology, FB 2, University of Bremen, James-Watt-Straße 1, 28359, Bremen, Germany
| | - Tobias Naaf
- Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF), 15374, Muencheberg, Germany
| | - Anna Orczewska
- Institute of Biology, Biotechnology and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Silesia, Bankowa 9, 40-007, Katowice, Poland
| | - Jolina Paulssen
- Institute of Ecology, FB 2, University of Bremen, James-Watt-Straße 1, 28359, Bremen, Germany
| | - Jan Plue
- Department of Urban and Rural Development, SLU Swedish Biodiversity Centre (CBM). Swedish University for Agricultural Sciences, 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Sergio Rasmann
- Institute of Biology, Laboratory of Functional Ecology, University of Neuchâtel, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Fabien Spicher
- UMR, CNRS 7058 'Ecologie et Dynamique des Systèmes Anthropisés' (EDYSAN), Université de Picardie Jules Verne, 1 Rue des Louvels, F-80037, Amiens, France
| | - Thomas Vanneste
- Forest & Nature Lab, Department of Environment, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Geraardsbergsesteenweg 267, 9090, Melle-Gontrode, Belgium
| | - Louis Verschuren
- Forest & Nature Lab, Department of Environment, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Geraardsbergsesteenweg 267, 9090, Melle-Gontrode, Belgium; UGent-Woodlab, Department of Environment, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure links 653, 9000, Ghent, Belgium; Centre for X-ray Tomography, Ghent University, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Kristiina Visakorpi
- Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Monika Wulf
- Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF), 15374, Muencheberg, Germany
| | - Pieter De Frenne
- Forest & Nature Lab, Department of Environment, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Geraardsbergsesteenweg 267, 9090, Melle-Gontrode, Belgium
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Grilo F, McPhearson T, Nunes A, Aleixo C, Santos-Reis M, Branquinho C. Where the not-so-wild things are in cities? The influence of social-ecological factors in urban trees at multiple scales. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 929:172552. [PMID: 38643878 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 03/30/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
Green infrastructure plays an essential role in cities due to the ecosystem services it provides. However, these elements are shaped by social and ecological factors that influence their distribution and diversity, affecting ecological functions and human well-being. Here, we analyzed neighborhood tree distribution - trees in pocket parks, squares and along streets - in Lisbon (Portugal) and modelled tree abundance and taxonomic and functional diversity, at the parish and local scales, considering a comprehensive list of social and ecological factors. For the functional analyses, we included functional traits linked to dispersal, resilience to important perturbations in coastal Mediterranean cities, and ecosystem services delivery. Our results show not only that trees are unevenly distributed across the city, but that there is a strong influence of social factors on all biological indices considered. At the parish and local scales, abundance and diversity responded to different factors, with abundance being linked to both social and ecological variables. Although the influence of social factors on urban trees can be expected, by modelling their influence we can quantify how much humans modify urban landscapes at a structural and functional level. These associations can underlie potential biodiversity filters and should be analyzed over time to inform decisions that support long-term ecological resilience, maximize trait functional expression, and increase equity in ecosystem services delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filipa Grilo
- cE3c - Center for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes & CHANGE - Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Timon McPhearson
- Urban Systems Lab, The New School, New York, NY, USA; Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Millbrook, NY, USA; Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden; Beijer Institute of Ecological Economics, Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Alice Nunes
- cE3c - Center for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes & CHANGE - Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Cristiana Aleixo
- cE3c - Center for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes & CHANGE - Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Margarida Santos-Reis
- cE3c - Center for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes & CHANGE - Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Cristina Branquinho
- cE3c - Center for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes & CHANGE - Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal.
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Xie A, Wang Y, Xiao L, Wang Y, Liao S, Yang M, Su S, Meng S, Liu H. Plasticity in resource allocation of the invasive Phytolacca americana: Balancing growth, reproduction, and defense along urban-rural gradients. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 937:173532. [PMID: 38802014 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
In response to varying environments along urban and rural gradients, invasive plants may strategically allocate resources to enhance their invasiveness. However, how invasive plants balance their resources for growth, reproduction, and defense as responses to biotic and abiotic factors across these gradients remain unclear. We conducted field surveys on the growth, reproduction, and herbivory of the invasive species Phytolacca americana across diverse urban and rural habitats. Leaf samples were collected to analyze the nutritional content, primary and secondary metabolites. We found that plant growth rates, specific leaf area, leaf nitrogen content, and concentrations of flavonoids and saponins were higher in urban habitats, while reproduction, herbivory, and carbon-to‑nitrogen ratios were lower than those in rural habitats. We also found a trade-off between growth rate and herbivory, as well as trade-offs among defense traits associated with herbivory (e.g., leaf mass per area, the inverse of leaf nitrogen content, and carbon‑nitrogen ratio) and the production of metabolites associated with abiotic stress tolerance (e.g., soluble sugars, flavonoids, and saponins). As earlier studies showed low levels of genetic diversity within and between populations, our findings suggest that the urban-rural gradient patterns of resource allocation are primarily phenotypic plasticity in response to herbivory in rural areas and abiotic factors in urban areas. Our study sheds light on the mechanisms by which urbanization affects plant invasions and offers insights for the implementation of their management strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anni Xie
- College of Life and Environmental Science, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, Hunan, China
| | - Yajie Wang
- College of Life and Environmental Science, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, Hunan, China
| | - Li Xiao
- College of Life and Environmental Science, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, Hunan, China; National Engineering Laboratory of Applied Technology for Forestry & Ecology in Southern China, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, Hunan, China.
| | - Yuanyuan Wang
- College of Life and Environmental Science, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, Hunan, China
| | - Shuang Liao
- College of Life and Environmental Science, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, Hunan, China
| | - Miao Yang
- College of Life and Environmental Science, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, Hunan, China
| | - Sese Su
- College of Life and Environmental Science, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, Hunan, China
| | - Shibo Meng
- College of Life and Environmental Science, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, Hunan, China
| | - Hongjia Liu
- College of Life and Environmental Science, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, Hunan, China
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5
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Gaytán Á, van Dijk LJA, Faticov M, Barr AE, Tack AJM. The effect of local habitat and spatial connectivity on urban seed predation. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY 2024; 111:e16333. [PMID: 38757608 DOI: 10.1002/ajb2.16333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2023] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
PREMISE During the last centuries, the area covered by urban landscapes is increasing all over the world. Urbanization can change local habitats and decrease connectivity among these habitats, with important consequences for species interactions. While several studies have found a major imprint of urbanization on plant-insect interactions, the effects of urbanization on seed predation remain largely unexplored. METHODS We investigated the relative impact of sunlight exposure, leaf litter, and spatial connectivity on predation by moth and weevil larvae on acorns of the pedunculate oak across an urban landscape during 2018 and 2020. We also examined whether infestations by moths and weevils were independent of each other. RESULTS While seed predation varied strongly among trees, seed predation was not related to differences in sunlight exposure, leaf litter, or spatial connectivity. Seed predation by moths and weevils was negatively correlated at the level of individual acorns in 2018, but positively correlated at the acorn and the tree level in 2020. CONCLUSIONS Our study sets the baseline expectation that urban seed predators are unaffected by differences in sunlight exposure, leaf litter, and spatial connectivity. Overall, our findings suggest that the impact of local and spatial factors on insects within an urban context may depend on the species guild. Understanding the impact of local and spatial factors on biodiversity, food web structure, and ecosystem functioning can provide valuable insights for urban planning and management strategies aimed at promoting urban insect diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Álvaro Gaytán
- Institute of Natural Resources and Agrobiology of Seville (IRNAS-CSIC), Reina Mercedes Ave, 10. 41012, Seville, Spain
- Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius väg 20A, SE-114 18, Stockholm, Sweden
- Bolin Center for Climate Research, Stockholm University, SE-106 91, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Laura J A van Dijk
- Swedish Museum of Natural History, Department of Bioinformatics and Genetics, Frescativägen 60, SE-114 18, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Maria Faticov
- Département de biologie, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke (J1K 2R1), Québec, Canada
| | - Anna E Barr
- Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius väg 20A, SE-114 18, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ayco J M Tack
- Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius väg 20A, SE-114 18, Stockholm, Sweden
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Sharmin M, Tjoelker MG, Esperon-Rodriguez M, Katlav A, Gilpin AM, Rymer PD, Power SA. Urban greening with shrubs can supercharge invertebrate abundance and diversity. Sci Rep 2024; 14:8735. [PMID: 38627432 PMCID: PMC11021404 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-58909-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
In urban areas, diverse and complex habitats for biodiversity are often lacking. This lack of diversity not only compromises essential ecological processes, such as pollination and nutrient cycling, but also diminishes the resilience of urban ecosystems to pests and diseases. To enhance urban biodiversity, a possible solution is to integrate shrubs alongside trees, thereby increasing the overall amount of vegetation, structural complexity and the associated resource diversity. Here, using a common garden experiment involving a variety of trees and shrubs planted alone and in combination, we evaluate how canopy-associated invertebrate assemblages are influenced by vegetation type. In particular, we test whether the presence of shrubs, alone or with trees, results in increased abundance and taxonomic richness of invertebrates, compared to trees on their own. We found that the overall abundance of invertebrates, and that of specific functional groups (e.g., herbivores, pollinators, detritivores), was higher on shrubs, compared to trees, and when trees and shrubs were planted in combination (relative to trees on their own). Our results suggest that planting shrub and tree species with wide and dense crowns can increase the associated abundance and taxonomic and functional group richness of invertebrate communities. Overall, our findings indicate that urban planning would benefit from incorporating shrubs alongside urban trees to maximise invertebrate abundance, diversity and function in urban landscapes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahmuda Sharmin
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW, 2751, Australia.
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Science, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet, 3114, Bangladesh.
| | - Mark G Tjoelker
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW, 2751, Australia
| | - Manuel Esperon-Rodriguez
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW, 2751, Australia
- School of Science, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW, 2751, Australia
| | - Alihan Katlav
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW, 2751, Australia
| | - Amy-Marie Gilpin
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW, 2751, Australia
- School of Science, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW, 2751, Australia
| | - Paul D Rymer
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW, 2751, Australia
| | - Sally A Power
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW, 2751, Australia
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Nelufule T, Shivambu TC, Shivambu N, Moshobane MC, Seoraj-Pillai N, Nangammbi T. Assessing Alien Plant Invasions in Urban Environments: A Case Study of Tshwane University of Technology and Implications for Biodiversity Conservation. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 13:872. [PMID: 38592858 PMCID: PMC10975853 DOI: 10.3390/plants13060872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2024] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Preserving the dwindling native biodiversity in urban settings poses escalating challenges due to the confinement of remaining natural areas to isolated and diminutive patches. Remarkably scarce research has scrutinised the involvement of institutions, particularly universities, in introducing alien plant species in South Africa, thus creating a significant gap in effective monitoring and management. In this study, the Tshwane University of Technology in Tshwane Metropole, South Africa serves as a focal point, where we conducted a comprehensive survey of alien plants both within the university premises and beyond its confines. The investigation involved the classification of invasion status and a meticulous assessment of donor and recipient dynamics. Our findings encompass 876 occurrence records, revealing the presence of 94 alien plant species spanning 44 distinct families. Noteworthy occurrences among the dominant plant families are Asteraceae and Solanaceae. Herbaceous and woody plants emerged as the most prevalent alien species, with common representation across both sampling sites. A substantial majority of recorded species were initially introduced for horticultural purposes (51%) before escaping and establishing self-sustaining populations (62%). Furthermore, 43 species identified are listed in South African invasive species legislation, with some manifesting invasive tendencies and altering the distribution of native species in the remaining natural areas. The notable overlap in species observed between the university premises and adjacent areas provides crucial insights into the influence of institutions on the dynamics of plant invasions within the urban landscape. This underscores the prevailing gaps in the management of invasive alien plants in urban zones and accentuates the imperative of an integrated approach involving collaboration between municipalities and diverse institutions for effective invasive species management in urban environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takalani Nelufule
- Department of Nature Conservation, Tshwane University of Technology, Private Bag X680, Pretoria West 0001, South Africa
| | - Tinyiko C. Shivambu
- Department of Nature Conservation, Tshwane University of Technology, Private Bag X680, Pretoria West 0001, South Africa
| | - Ndivhuwo Shivambu
- Department of Nature Conservation, Tshwane University of Technology, Private Bag X680, Pretoria West 0001, South Africa
| | - Moleseng C. Moshobane
- South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria National Botanical Garden, 2 Cussonia Avenue, Brummeria, Silverton 0184, South Africa;
| | - Nimmi Seoraj-Pillai
- Department of Nature Conservation, Tshwane University of Technology, Private Bag X680, Pretoria West 0001, South Africa
| | - Tshifhiwa Nangammbi
- Department of Nature Conservation, Tshwane University of Technology, Private Bag X680, Pretoria West 0001, South Africa
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8
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Clark RC, Johnson JC. The functional microclimate of an urban arthropod pest: Urban heat island temperatures in webs of the western black widow spider. J Therm Biol 2024; 120:103814. [PMID: 38402729 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2024.103814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Urbanization alters natural landscapes and creates unique challenges for urban wildlife. Similarly, the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect can produce significantly elevated temperatures in urban areas, and we have a relatively poor understanding of how this will impact urban biodiversity. In particular, most studies quantify the UHI using broad-scale climate data rather than assessing microclimate temperatures actually experienced by organisms. In addition, studies often fail to address spatial and temporal complexities of the UHI. Here we examine the thermal microclimate and UHI experienced in the web of Western black widow spiders (Latrodectus hesperus), a medically-important, superabundant urban pest species found in cities across the Western region of North America. We do this using replicate urban and desert populations across an entire year to account for seasonal variation in the UHI, both within and between habitats. Our findings reveal a strong nighttime, but no daytime, UHI effect, with urban spider webs being 2-5 °C warmer than desert webs at night. This UHI effect is most prominent during the spring and least prominent in winter, suggesting that the UHI need not be most pronounced when temperatures are most elevated. Urban web temperatures varied among urban sites in the daytime, whereas desert web temperatures varied among desert sites in the nighttime. Finally, web temperature was significantly positively correlated with a spider's boldness, but showed no relationship with voracity towards prey, web size, or body condition. Understanding the complexities of each organism's thermal challenges, the "functional microclimate", is crucial for predicting the impacts of urbanization and climate change on urban biodiversity and ecosystem functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan C Clark
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85281, USA
| | - J Chadwick Johnson
- School of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Arizona State University at the West Campus, Glendale, AZ, 85069, USA.
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9
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Fukano Y, Yamori W, Misu H, Sato MP, Shirasawa K, Tachiki Y, Uchida K. From green to red: Urban heat stress drives leaf color evolution. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eabq3542. [PMID: 37862418 PMCID: PMC10588939 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abq3542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023]
Abstract
Prevalence of impervious surface and resulting higher temperatures in urban areas, known as urban heat islands, comprises prominent characteristics in global cities. However, it is not known whether and how urban plants adapt to such heat stress. This study focused on Oxalis corniculata, which has intraspecific polymorphism in leaf color (green and red) and examined whether the leaf color variation is associated with urban heat stress. Field observations revealed that green-leaved plants were dominant in green habitats, and red-leaved individuals were dominant in urban habitats, at local (<500 meters), landscape (<50 kilometers), and global scales. Growth and photosynthesis experiments demonstrated that red-leaved individuals performed better under heat stress, while green-leaved individuals performed better under nonstressful conditions. Genome-wide SNP analysis suggests that the red leaf may have evolved multiple times from the ancestral green leaf. Overall, the results suggest that the red leaves of O. corniculata observed in cities worldwide are evidence of plant adaptive evolution due to urban heat islands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuya Fukano
- Graduate School of Horticulture Sciences, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Wataru Yamori
- Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hayata Misu
- Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mitsuhiko P. Sato
- Department of Frontier Research and Development, Kazusa DNA Research Institute, Chiba, Japan
| | - Kenta Shirasawa
- Department of Frontier Research and Development, Kazusa DNA Research Institute, Chiba, Japan
| | - Yuuya Tachiki
- Department of Biological Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kei Uchida
- Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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10
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Lokatis S, Jeschke JM, Bernard-Verdier M, Buchholz S, Grossart HP, Havemann F, Hölker F, Itescu Y, Kowarik I, Kramer-Schadt S, Mietchen D, Musseau CL, Planillo A, Schittko C, Straka TM, Heger T. Hypotheses in urban ecology: building a common knowledge base. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2023; 98:1530-1547. [PMID: 37072921 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/20/2023]
Abstract
Urban ecology is a rapidly growing research field that has to keep pace with the pressing need to tackle the sustainability crisis. As an inherently multi-disciplinary field with close ties to practitioners and administrators, research synthesis and knowledge transfer between those different stakeholders is crucial. Knowledge maps can enhance knowledge transfer and provide orientation to researchers as well as practitioners. A promising option for developing such knowledge maps is to create hypothesis networks, which structure existing hypotheses and aggregate them according to topics and research aims. Combining expert knowledge with information from the literature, we here identify 62 research hypotheses used in urban ecology and link them in such a network. Our network clusters hypotheses into four distinct themes: (i) Urban species traits & evolution, (ii) Urban biotic communities, (iii) Urban habitats and (iv) Urban ecosystems. We discuss the potentials and limitations of this approach. All information is openly provided as part of an extendable Wikidata project, and we invite researchers, practitioners and others interested in urban ecology to contribute additional hypotheses, as well as comment and add to the existing ones. The hypothesis network and Wikidata project form a first step towards a knowledge base for urban ecology, which can be expanded and curated to benefit both practitioners and researchers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Lokatis
- Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Str. 1-3, Berlin, 14195, Germany
- Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), Müggelseedamm 310, Berlin, 12587, Germany
- Berlin-Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research, Königin-Luise-Str. 2-4, Berlin, 14195, Germany
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Puschstr. 4, Leipzig, 04103, Germany
| | - Jonathan M Jeschke
- Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Str. 1-3, Berlin, 14195, Germany
- Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), Müggelseedamm 310, Berlin, 12587, Germany
- Berlin-Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research, Königin-Luise-Str. 2-4, Berlin, 14195, Germany
| | - Maud Bernard-Verdier
- Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Str. 1-3, Berlin, 14195, Germany
- Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), Müggelseedamm 310, Berlin, 12587, Germany
- Berlin-Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research, Königin-Luise-Str. 2-4, Berlin, 14195, Germany
| | - Sascha Buchholz
- Institute of Landscape Ecology, University of Münster, Heisenbergstr. 2, Münster, 48149, Germany
| | - Hans-Peter Grossart
- Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), Müggelseedamm 310, Berlin, 12587, Germany
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, Potsdam University, Maulbeerallee 2, Potsdam, 14469, Germany
| | - Frank Havemann
- Institut für Bibliotheks- und Informationswissenschaft, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Dorotheenstraße 26, Berlin, 10117, Germany
| | - Franz Hölker
- Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Str. 1-3, Berlin, 14195, Germany
- Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), Müggelseedamm 310, Berlin, 12587, Germany
- Berlin-Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research, Königin-Luise-Str. 2-4, Berlin, 14195, Germany
| | - Yuval Itescu
- Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Str. 1-3, Berlin, 14195, Germany
- Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), Müggelseedamm 310, Berlin, 12587, Germany
- Berlin-Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research, Königin-Luise-Str. 2-4, Berlin, 14195, Germany
| | - Ingo Kowarik
- Berlin-Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research, Königin-Luise-Str. 2-4, Berlin, 14195, Germany
- Institute of Ecology, Technische Universität Berlin, Rothenburgstr. 12, Berlin, 12165, Germany
| | - Stephanie Kramer-Schadt
- Berlin-Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research, Königin-Luise-Str. 2-4, Berlin, 14195, Germany
- Institute of Ecology, Technische Universität Berlin, Rothenburgstr. 12, Berlin, 12165, Germany
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW), Alfred-Kowalke-Str. 17, Berlin, 10315, Germany
| | - Daniel Mietchen
- Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Str. 1-3, Berlin, 14195, Germany
- Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), Müggelseedamm 310, Berlin, 12587, Germany
- Berlin-Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research, Königin-Luise-Str. 2-4, Berlin, 14195, Germany
- Institute for Globally Distributed Open Research and Education (IGDORE), Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Camille L Musseau
- Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Str. 1-3, Berlin, 14195, Germany
- Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), Müggelseedamm 310, Berlin, 12587, Germany
- Berlin-Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research, Königin-Luise-Str. 2-4, Berlin, 14195, Germany
| | - Aimara Planillo
- Berlin-Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research, Königin-Luise-Str. 2-4, Berlin, 14195, Germany
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW), Alfred-Kowalke-Str. 17, Berlin, 10315, Germany
| | - Conrad Schittko
- Berlin-Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research, Königin-Luise-Str. 2-4, Berlin, 14195, Germany
- Institute of Ecology, Technische Universität Berlin, Rothenburgstr. 12, Berlin, 12165, Germany
| | - Tanja M Straka
- Berlin-Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research, Königin-Luise-Str. 2-4, Berlin, 14195, Germany
- Institute of Ecology, Technische Universität Berlin, Rothenburgstr. 12, Berlin, 12165, Germany
| | - Tina Heger
- Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Str. 1-3, Berlin, 14195, Germany
- Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), Müggelseedamm 310, Berlin, 12587, Germany
- Berlin-Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research, Königin-Luise-Str. 2-4, Berlin, 14195, Germany
- Technical University of Munich, Restoration Ecology, Emil-Ramann-Str. 6, Freising, 85350, Germany
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11
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Mach BM, Long W, Daniels JC, Dale AG. Aphid infestations reduce monarch butterfly colonization, herbivory, and growth on ornamental milkweed. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0288407. [PMID: 37494406 PMCID: PMC10370756 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0288407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Anthropogenic disturbance is driving global biodiversity loss, including the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus), a dietary specialist of milkweed. In response, ornamental milkweed plantings are increasingly common in urbanized landscapes, and recent evidence indicates they have conservation value for monarch butterflies. Unfortunately, sap-feeding insect herbivores, including the oleander aphid (Aphis nerii), frequently reach high densities on plants in nursery settings and urbanized landscapes. Aphid-infested milkweed may inhibit monarch conservation efforts by reducing host plant quality and inducing plant defenses. To test this, we evaluated the effects of oleander aphid infestation on monarch oviposition, larval performance, and plant traits using tropical milkweed (Asclepias curassavica), the most common commercially available milkweed species in the southern U.S. We quantified monarch oviposition preference, larval herbivory, larval weight, and plant characteristics on aphid-free and aphid-infested milkweed. Monarch butterflies deposited three times more eggs on aphid-free versus aphid-infested milkweed. Similarly, larvae fed aphid-free milkweed consumed and weighed twice as much as larvae fed aphid-infested milkweed. Aphid-free milkweed had higher total dry leaf biomass and nitrogen content than aphid-infested milkweed. Our results indicate that oleander aphid infestations can have indirect negative impacts on urban monarch conservation efforts and highlight the need for effective Lepidoptera-friendly integrated pest management tactics for ornamental plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernadette M. Mach
- Entomology and Nematology Department, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States of America
| | - William Long
- Entomology and Nematology Department, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States of America
| | - Jaret C. Daniels
- Entomology and Nematology Department, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States of America
- Florida Museum of Natural History, Gainesville, FL, United States of America
| | - Adam G. Dale
- Entomology and Nematology Department, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States of America
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12
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Introduction of artificial light at night increases the abundance of predators, scavengers, and parasites in arthropod communities. iScience 2023; 26:106203. [PMID: 36876132 PMCID: PMC9982679 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
While recent studies explore the negative impacts of light pollution on arthropods, few studies investigated community-level responses to artificial light. Using an array of landscaping lights and pitfall traps, we track community composition over 15 consecutive days and nights, including a five-night pre-light period, a five-night during-light period, and a five-night post-light period. Our results highlight a trophic-level response to artificial nighttime lighting with shifts in the presence and abundance of predators, scavengers, parasites, and herbivores. We show that associated trophic shifts occurred immediately upon the introduction of artificial light at night and are limited to nocturnal communities. Lastly, trophic levels reverted to their pre-light state, suggesting many short-term changes in communities are likely the result of behavioral shifts. These trophic shifts may become common as light pollution increases, implicating artificial light as a cause of global arthropod community change and highlighting light pollution's role in global herbivorous arthropod decline.
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13
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Burghardt KT, Avolio ML, Locke DH, Grove JM, Sonti NF, Swan CM. Current street tree communities reflect race-based housing policy and modern attempts to remedy environmental injustice. Ecology 2023; 104:e3881. [PMID: 36196604 PMCID: PMC10078568 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.3881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Humans promote and inhibit other species on the urban landscape, shaping biodiversity patterns. Institutional racism may underlie the distribution of urban species by creating disproportionate resources in space and time. Here, we examine whether present-day street tree occupancy, diversity, and composition in Baltimore, MD, USA, neighborhoods reflect their 1937 classification into grades of loan risk-from most desirable (A = green) to least desirable (D = "redlined")-using racially discriminatory criteria. We find that neighborhoods that were redlined have consistently lower street tree α-diversity and are nine times less likely to have large (old) trees occupying a viable planting site. Simultaneously, redlined neighborhoods were locations of recent tree planting activities, with a high occupancy rate of small (young) trees. However, the community composition of these young trees exhibited lower species turnover and reordering across neighborhoods compared to those in higher grades, due to heavy reliance on a single tree species. Overall, while the negative effects of redlining remain detectable in present-day street tree communities, there are clear signs of recent investment. A strategy of planting diverse tree cohorts paired with investments in site rehabilitation and maintenance may be necessary if cities wish to overcome ecological feedbacks associated with legacies of environmental injustice.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Meghan L Avolio
- Earth and Planetary Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Dexter H Locke
- Northern Research Station, USDA Forest Service, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - J Morgan Grove
- Northern Research Station, USDA Forest Service, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Nancy F Sonti
- Northern Research Station, USDA Forest Service, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Christopher M Swan
- Geography and Environmental Systems, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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14
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Rivkin LR, de Andrade AC. Increased herbivory but not cyanogenesis is associated with urbanization in a tropical wildflower. AUSTRAL ECOL 2023. [DOI: 10.1111/aec.13274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- L. Ruth Rivkin
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of Toronto Toronto Ontario Canada
- Department of Biology University of Toronto Mississauga Toronto Ontario Canada
- Centre for Urban Environments University of Toronto Mississauga Toronto Ontario Canada
| | - Antonio C. de Andrade
- Universidade Federal da Paraiba Departamento de Engenharia e Meio Ambiente Rio Tinto PB Brazil
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15
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Lynch SC, Savage AM. The changing dynamics of ant-tree cholla mutualisms along a desert urbanization gradient. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0280130. [PMID: 37000864 PMCID: PMC10065256 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0280130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Urbanization, among the most widespread and multifaceted anthropogenic change drivers, exerts strong influences on a diversity of ecological communities worldwide. We have begun to understand how urbanization affects species diversity, yet we still have limited knowledge about the ways that species interactions are altered by urbanization. We have an especially poor understanding of how urbanization influences stress-buffering mutualisms, despite the high levels of multivariate stress that urban organisms must overcome and the importance of these interactions to the fitness of many organisms. In this study, we investigated the effects of urbanization on a mutualism between tree cholla cacti (Cylindropuntia imbricata) and visiting ants. We first examined how plant size, ant species composition, and ant activity varied on C. imbricata across an urbanization gradient (urban, suburban, wild) in and around Albuquerque, NM. Ant species composition and activity varied significantly across the urbanization gradient, with ant communities from wildlands having the highest activity and the most dissimilar species composition compared to both suburban and urban sites. In contrast, plant size remained constant regardless of site type. We then experimentally assessed how nectar levels influenced ant aggressive encounters with proxy prey (Drosophila melanogaster larvae) on C. imbricata across urban and wild sites. Ants were more likely to discover, attack, and remove proxy prey in wild sites compared to urban sites; they also performed these behaviors more quickly in wild sites. Nectar supplementation had weaker effects on ant aggression than urbanization, but consistently increased the speed at which aggressive behaviors occurred. Future studies that examine nectar quality and herbivorous arthropod abundance may help explain why this strong difference in ant composition and aggression was not associated with lower plant fitness proxies (i.e. size traits). Nevertheless, this study provides unique insight into the growing body of work demonstrating that mutualisms vary significantly across urbanization gradients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon C. Lynch
- Rutgers University Camden, Camden, NJ, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Amy M. Savage
- Rutgers University Camden, Camden, NJ, United States of America
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16
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Menezes CWGDE, Santos CAD, Carvalho DM, Brito ESG, Tavares WDES, Menezes Júnior SMDACDE, Zanuncio JC. Sudden and simultaneous population outbreak of Neoaulacoryssus speciosus in an urban area of 12 municipalities in the Caatinga biome. AN ACAD BRAS CIENC 2023; 95:e20191295. [PMID: 36946799 DOI: 10.1590/0001-3765202320191295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2019] [Accepted: 01/26/2020] [Indexed: 03/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The ground beetle, Neoaulacoryssus speciosus (Coleoptera: Carabidae) is of high relevance to field because it has been recorded as a pest of seeds and young plants of vegetables and other crops and a predator in agricultural crops, forest and weeds in Brazil. However, natural habitat changes are increasing agriculture and forest insect outbreaks in urban areas. A N. speciosus population outbreak occurred in October and November 2018 simultaneously in 12 neighboring municipalities at the beginning of the rainy season in the northern region of Minas Gerais State, Brazil. The objectives of this study were to report a sudden and simultaneous population outbreak of N. speciosus and to describe the factors of habitat change that could have contributed to this invasion in 12 municipalities in the northern region of Minas Gerais State in the Caatinga biome of Brazil. In addition, female and male genitals were described and illustrated, the scientific classification revised and common names of N. speciosus listed. Thousands of males and females of N. speciosus agglomerated in shady, humid places during the day and night for about 15 days. Neoaulacoryssus speciosus has been identified and illustrated, its scientific classification revised and four common names listed for this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claubert Wagner G DE Menezes
- Instituto Federal do Norte de Minas Gerais, Departamento de Ciências Agrárias, Fazenda São Geraldo, Km 06, s/n, Jardim Belo, 39480-000 Januária, MG, Brazil
| | - Conceição A Dos Santos
- Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Rodovia MGT 367, Km 583, 5000, Alto da Jacuba, 39100-000 Diamantina, MG, Brazil
| | - Danielle M Carvalho
- Instituto Federal do Norte de Minas Gerais, Departamento de Ciências Agrárias, Fazenda São Geraldo, Km 06, s/n, Jardim Belo, 39480-000 Januária, MG, Brazil
| | - Eliane S G Brito
- Instituto Federal do Norte de Minas Gerais, Departamento de Ciências Agrárias, Fazenda São Geraldo, Km 06, s/n, Jardim Belo, 39480-000 Januária, MG, Brazil
| | - Wagner DE S Tavares
- Asia Pacific Resources International Holdings Ltd. (APRIL), PT. Riau Andalan Pulp and Paper (RAPP), 28300, Pangkalan Kerinci, Riau, Sumatra, Indonesia
| | - Sady M DA C DE Menezes Júnior
- Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto Três Rios, Departamento de Ciências do Meio Ambiente, Avenida Prefeito Alberto da Silva Lavinas, 1847, Centro, 25802-100 Três Rios, RJ, Brazil
| | - José C Zanuncio
- Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Departamento de Entomologia/BIOAGRO, Rodovia Peter Henry Rolfs, s/n, Campus Universitário, 36570-900 Viçosa, MG, Brazil
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17
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Wilson CJ, Frank SD. Scale Insects Support Natural Enemies in Both Landscape Trees and Shrubs Below Them. ENVIRONMENTAL ENTOMOLOGY 2022; 51:1094-1105. [PMID: 36259264 DOI: 10.1093/ee/nvac081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Scale insects are frequently abundant on urban trees. Although scales can worsen tree condition, some tree species tolerate moderate scale densities. Scales are prey for many natural enemies. Therefore, scale-infested trees may conserve natural enemies in their canopies and in nearby plants. We examined if scale-infested oaks-Quercus phellos L.-hosted more natural enemies than scale-uninfested oaks-Q. acutissima Carruth. and Q. lyrata Walter in Raleigh, NC. USA. We also tested if natural enemies were more abundant in holly shrubs (Ilex spp.) planted below scale-infested compared to scale-uninfested oaks. We collected natural enemies from the canopies of both tree types and from holly shrubs planted below these trees. To determine if tree type affected the abundance of natural enemies that passively dispersed to shrubs, we created hanging cup traps to collect arthropods as they fell from trees. To determine if natural enemies became more abundant on shrubs below scale-infested compared to scale-uninfested trees over short time scales, we collected natural enemies from holly shrubs below each tree type at three to six-day intervals. Scale-infested trees hosted more natural enemies than scale-uninfested trees and shrubs below scale-infested trees hosted more natural enemies than shrubs under scale-uninfested trees. Natural enemy abundance in hanging cup traps did not differ by tree type; however, shrubs underneath scale-infested trees accumulated more natural enemies than shrubs under scale-uninfested trees in six to nine days. Tolerating moderate pest densities in urban trees may support natural enemy communities, and thus biological control services, in shrubs below them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caleb J Wilson
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
- Department of Entomology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Steven D Frank
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
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18
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Miles LS, Murray‐Stoker D, Nhan VJ, Johnson MTJ. Effects of urbanization on specialist insect communities of milkweed are mediated by spatial and temporal variation. Ecosphere 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.4222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay S. Miles
- Department of Biology University of Toronto Mississauga Mississauga Ontario Canada
- Centre for Urban Environments, University of Toronto Mississauga Mississauga Ontario Canada
| | - David Murray‐Stoker
- Department of Biology University of Toronto Mississauga Mississauga Ontario Canada
- Centre for Urban Environments, University of Toronto Mississauga Mississauga Ontario Canada
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of Toronto Toronto Ontario Canada
| | - Vanessa J. Nhan
- Department of Biology University of Toronto Mississauga Mississauga Ontario Canada
| | - Marc T. J. Johnson
- Department of Biology University of Toronto Mississauga Mississauga Ontario Canada
- Centre for Urban Environments, University of Toronto Mississauga Mississauga Ontario Canada
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of Toronto Toronto Ontario Canada
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19
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Korányi D, Egerer M, Rusch A, Szabó B, Batáry P. Urbanization hampers biological control of insect pests: A global meta-analysis. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 834:155396. [PMID: 35460770 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Biological control is a major ecosystem service provided by pest natural enemies, even in densely populated areas where the use of pesticides poses severe risks to human and environmental health. However, the impact of urbanization on this service and the abundance patterns of relevant functional groups of arthropods (herbivores, predators, and parasitoids) remain contested. Here, we synthesize current evidence through three hierarchical meta-analyses and show that advancing urbanization leads to outbreaks of sap-feeding insects, declining numbers of predators with low dispersal abilities, and weakened overall biological pest control delivered by arthropods. Our results suggest that sedentary predators may have the potential to effectively regulate sap-feeders, that are one of the most important pests in urban environments. A well-connected network of structurally diverse and rich green spaces with less intensive management practices is needed to promote natural plant protection in urban landscapes and sustainable cities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dávid Korányi
- Centre for Ecological Research, Institute of Ecology and Botany, "Lendület" Landscape and Conservation Ecology, Alkotmány u. 2-4, 2163 Vácrátót, Hungary.
| | - Monika Egerer
- Technische Universität München, Department of Life Science Systems, School of Life Sciences, Hans Carl-von-Carlowitz-Platz 2, 85354 Freising, Germany
| | - Adrien Rusch
- INRAE, UMR 1065 Santé et Agroécologie du Vignoble, ISVV, Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux Sciences Agro, Villenave d'Ornon, France
| | - Borbála Szabó
- Centre for Ecological Research, Institute of Ecology and Botany, "Lendület" Landscape and Conservation Ecology, Alkotmány u. 2-4, 2163 Vácrátót, Hungary
| | - Péter Batáry
- Centre for Ecological Research, Institute of Ecology and Botany, "Lendület" Landscape and Conservation Ecology, Alkotmány u. 2-4, 2163 Vácrátót, Hungary
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Theodorou P. The effects of urbanisation on ecological interactions. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2022; 52:100922. [PMID: 35490874 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2022.100922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 04/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/10/2022] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Cities are expanding worldwide and urbanisation is considered a global threat to biodiversity. Urban ecology has provided important insights on how urban environmental changes might affect individuals, populations, and species; however, we know little about how the ecological impacts of urbanisation alter species interactions. Species interactions are the backbone of ecological communities and play a crucial role in population and community dynamics and in the generation, maintenance and structure of biodiversity. Here, I review urban ecological studies to identify key mechanistic pathways through which urban environmental processes could alter antagonistic and mutualistic interactions among species. More specifically, I focus on insect predation, parasitoidism and herbivory, competition, insect host-pathogen interactions, and pollination. I furthermore identify important knowledge gaps that require additional research attention and I suggest future research directions that may help to shed light on the mechanisms that affect species interactions and structure insect communities and will thus aid conservation management in cities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panagiotis Theodorou
- General Zoology, Institute for Biology, Martin-Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Hoher Weg 8, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany; German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Puschstraße 4, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.
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21
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Water Availability Determines Tree Growth and Physiological Response to Biotic and Abiotic Stress in a Temperate North American Urban Forest. FORESTS 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/f13071012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Warmer temperatures and frequent drought directly affect urban tree health. Both abiotic conditions also affect tree health via increased density of some insect pests. Warming is predicted to benefit urban trees by increasing carbon sequestration and allocation to biomass. However, increased drought and pests are rarely considered despite often co-occurring with heat. To determine the combined effects of these abiotic and biotic factors, we manipulated water availability for established urban red maple trees across a gradient of warming and pest density and measured leaf-level processes and tree growth over two years. We find that water availability is a major determinant of tree growth, physiological processes, and resilience to urban stress factors. Maples performed better with more water, which also made them resistant to effects of temperature and pest density. However, when drought became too severe, leaf-level processes declined with warming. Tree basal area growth was unaffected after two years, but stem elongation increased with increasing water, temperature, and pest density. We discuss potential mechanisms driving these responses and the implications in the context of urban forest management. Urban forest designs that reduce drought and align species adaptations to local conditions are critical for designing more resilient and productive urban forests.
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22
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Abstract
AbstractInvertebrates comprise the most diversified animal group on Earth. Due to their long evolutionary history and small size, invertebrates occupy a remarkable range of ecological niches, and play an important role as “ecosystem engineers” by structuring networks of mutualistic and antagonistic ecological interactions in almost all terrestrial ecosystems. Urban forests provide critical ecosystem services to humans, and, as in other systems, invertebrates are central to structuring and maintaining the functioning of urban forests. Identifying the role of invertebrates in urban forests can help elucidate their importance to practitioners and the public, not only to preserve biodiversity in urban environments, but also to make the public aware of their functional importance in maintaining healthy greenspaces. In this review, we examine the multiple functional roles that invertebrates play in urban forests that contribute to ecosystem service provisioning, including pollination, predation, herbivory, seed and microorganism dispersal and organic matter decomposition, but also those that lead to disservices, primarily from a public health perspective, e.g., transmission of invertebrate-borne diseases. We then identify a number of ecological filters that structure urban forest invertebrate communities, such as changes in habitat structure, increased landscape imperviousness, microclimatic changes and pollution. We also discuss the complexity of ways that forest invertebrates respond to urbanisation, including acclimation, local extinction and evolution. Finally, we present management recommendations to support and conserve viable and diverse urban forest invertebrate populations into the future.
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23
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Arnold JE. Biological Control Services from Parasitic Hymenoptera in Urban Agriculture. INSECTS 2022; 13:insects13050467. [PMID: 35621801 PMCID: PMC9143015 DOI: 10.3390/insects13050467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Revised: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Our findings support the enemies hypothesis in urban agroecosystems. Local factors, including increased mulch coverage, crop richness, and percent of non-crop areas, are predictors of increased PH abundance and aphid parasitism rates. Our findings support and strengthen previous findings in UA research. Urban farmers should be encouraged to diversify urban agroecosystem spatial composition and implement APM practices to reduce pest impacts. Abstract Urban agriculture is practiced in spatially fragmented landscapes with unique characteristics that can impact species occurrence in time and space. As a result, biological control services, an ecosystem service from naturally occurring arthropod natural enemies, can be negatively impacted. Many urban farms forgo pesticides and utilize agroecological pest-management strategies that rely on natural enemies to help regulate pest populations. Understanding how these enemies are affected by landscape composition and on-farm management practices is critical to understanding agroecological pest management in UA and furthering our understanding of landscape-mediated population dynamics. Over two growing seasons, we sampled brassica crops in urban agriculture sites occurring on a spectrum of surrounding landscape imperviousness, spatial composition, size, and management practices to better understand parasitic Hymenoptera abundance, richness, and parasitism rates on the common cabbage aphid (Brevicoryne brassicae). We found that on-farm agroecological pest-management practices such as mulch coverage, floral richness, and overall crop-plant richness impacted parasitic Hymenoptera abundance. Larger proportions of on-farm noncrop area increased parasitoid abundance on urban farms. Aphid parasitism increased in relation to on-farm management practices, including increased crop-plant richness. These findings add to a growing understanding of urban agroecosystem function and support the enemies hypothesis in urban agroecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Earl Arnold
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management (ESPM), University of California—Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA;
- Department of Environmental Studies, Warren Wilson College, Asheville, NC 28815, USA
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24
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Qu J, Bonte D, Vandegehuchte ML. Phenotypic and genotypic divergence of plant‐herbivore interactions along an urbanization gradient. Evol Appl 2022; 15:865-877. [PMID: 35603025 PMCID: PMC9108311 DOI: 10.1111/eva.13376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Revised: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Urban environments provide challenging conditions for species survival, including increased temperatures, drought and pollution. Species can deal with these conditions through evolution across generations or the immediate expression of phenotypic plasticity. The resulting phenotypic changes are key to the performance of species and their interactions with other species in the community. We here document patterns of herbivory in Arabidopsis thaliana along a rural–urban gradient, and tested the genetic background and ecological consequences of traits related to herbivore resistance. Aphid densities increased with urbanization levels along the gradient while plant size did not change. Offspring of urban mothers, raised under common garden conditions, were larger and had a decreased trichome density and seed set but a higher caterpillar (Pieris brassicae) tolerance. In contrast, no urban evolution was detected for defences against aphids (Myzus persicae). Aphids reduced seed set more strongly in urban offspring, but this effect disappeared in second‐generation plants. In general, urban adaptations as expressed in size and caterpillar tolerance were found, but these adaptations were associated with smaller inflorescences. The maternal effect on the response of seed set to aphid feeding demonstrates the relevance of intergenerational plasticity as a direct ecological consequence of herbivory. Our study demonstrates that the urban environment interacts with the plant's genotype and the extended phenotype as determined by ecological interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiao Qu
- Lushan Botanical Garden Chinese Academy of Sciences Jiujiang 332900 Jiangxi China
- Terrestrial Ecology Unit Department of Biology Ghent University Karel Lodewijk Ledeganckstraat 35 9000 Ghent Belgium
| | - Dries Bonte
- Terrestrial Ecology Unit Department of Biology Ghent University Karel Lodewijk Ledeganckstraat 35 9000 Ghent Belgium
| | - Martijn L. Vandegehuchte
- Terrestrial Ecology Unit Department of Biology Ghent University Karel Lodewijk Ledeganckstraat 35 9000 Ghent Belgium
- Department of Biology Norwegian University of Science and Technology Høgskoleringen 5 7491 Trondheim Norway
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25
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Valdés‐Correcher E, Popova A, Galmán A, Prinzing A, Selikhovkin AV, Howe AG, Mrazova A, Dulaurent A, Hampe A, Tack AJM, Bouget C, Lupaștean D, Harvey D, Musolin DL, Lövei GL, Centenaro G, Halder IV, Hagge J, Dobrosavljević J, Pitkänen J, Koricheva J, Sam K, Barbaro L, Branco M, Ferrante M, Faticov M, Tahadlová M, Gossner M, Cauchoix M, Bogdziewicz M, Duduman M, Kozlov MV, Bjoern MC, Mamaev NA, Fernandez‐Conradi P, Thomas RL, Wetherbee R, Green S, Milanović S, Moreira X, Mellerin Y, Kadiri Y, Castagneyrol B. Herbivory on the pedunculate oak along an urbanization gradient in Europe: Effects of impervious surface, local tree cover, and insect feeding guild. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e8709. [PMID: 35342614 PMCID: PMC8928871 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.8709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Urbanization is an important driver of the diversity and abundance of tree-associated insect herbivores, but its consequences for insect herbivory are poorly understood. A likely source of variability among studies is the insufficient consideration of intra-urban variability in forest cover. With the help of citizen scientists, we investigated the independent and interactive effects of local canopy cover and percentage of impervious surface on insect herbivory in the pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) throughout most of its geographic range in Europe. We found that the damage caused by chewing insect herbivores as well as the incidence of leaf-mining and gall-inducing herbivores consistently decreased with increasing impervious surface around focal oaks. Herbivory by chewing herbivores increased with increasing forest cover, regardless of impervious surface. In contrast, an increase in local canopy cover buffered the negative effect of impervious surface on leaf miners and strengthened its effect on gall inducers. These results show that-just like in non-urban areas-plant-herbivore interactions in cities are structured by a complex set of interacting factors. This highlights that local habitat characteristics within cities have the potential to attenuate or modify the effect of impervious surfaces on biotic interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anna Popova
- A. N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and EvolutionRussian Academy of SciencesMoscowRussia
| | - Andrea Galmán
- Institute of Biology/Geobotany and Botanical GardenMartin Luther University Halle‐WittenbergHalleGermany
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle‐Jena‐LeipzigLeipzigGermany
| | - Andreas Prinzing
- Research Unit ECOBIO (Ecosystems, Biodiversity, Evolution)UMR 6553University of Rennes/Centre National de la Recherche ScientifiqueRennesFrance
| | - Andrey V. Selikhovkin
- Department of Forest Protection, Wood Science and Game ManagementSaint Petersburg State Forest Technical UniversitySt. PetersburgRussia
| | - Andy G. Howe
- Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource ManagementUniversity of CopenhagenFrederiksberg CDenmark
- Forest Industries Research CentreUniversity of the Sunshine CoastSippy DownsAustralia
| | - Anna Mrazova
- Biology Centre of Czech Academy of SciencesEntomology InstituteCeske BudejoviceCzech Republic
- Faculty of ScienceUniversity of South BohemiaCeske BudejoviceCzech Republic
| | | | | | | | - Christophe Bouget
- Forest Ecosystems' Research UnitBiodiversity Team Domaine des BarresINRAENogent‐sur‐VernissonFrance
| | - Daniela Lupaștean
- Applied Ecology LabForestry Faculty“Ștefan cel Mare” University of SuceavaSuceavaRomania
| | - Deborah Harvey
- Department of Biological SciencesRoyal HollowayUniversity of LondonEghamUK
| | - Dmitry L. Musolin
- Department of Forest Protection, Wood Science and Game ManagementSaint Petersburg State Forest Technical UniversitySt. PetersburgRussia
| | - Gábor L. Lövei
- Department of AgroecologyFlakkebjerg Research CentreAarhus UniversitySlagelseDenmark
| | - Giada Centenaro
- Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant SciencesStockholm UniversityStockholmSweden
| | | | - Jonas Hagge
- Forest Nature ConservationNorthwest German Forest Research InstituteHann. MündenGermany
- Forest Nature ConservationGeorg‐August‐University GöttingenGöttingenGermany
| | - Jovan Dobrosavljević
- Department of Forest ProtectionFaculty of ForestryUniversity of BelgradeBelgradeSerbia
| | - Juha‐Matti Pitkänen
- Forest Health and BiodiversityNatural Resources Institute Finland (LUKE)HelsinkiFinland
- Spatial Foodweb Ecology GroupDepartment of Agricultural SciencesUniversity of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland
| | - Julia Koricheva
- Department of Biological SciencesRoyal HollowayUniversity of LondonEghamUK
| | - Katerina Sam
- Biology Centre of Czech Academy of SciencesEntomology InstituteCeske BudejoviceCzech Republic
- Faculty of ScienceUniversity of South BohemiaCeske BudejoviceCzech Republic
| | - Luc Barbaro
- DynaforUniv. ToulouseINRAECastanet‐TolosanFrance
- CESCO, Museum national d'Histoire naturelleCNRSSorbonne‐Univ.ParisFrance
| | - Manuela Branco
- Centro de Estudos FlorestaisInstituto Superior de AgronomiaUniversidade de LisboaLisboaPortugal
| | - Marco Ferrante
- Department of AgroecologyFlakkebjerg Research CentreAarhus UniversitySlagelseDenmark
- Azorean Biodiversity GroupcE3c – Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental ChangesUniversity of the AzoresAzoresPortugal
| | - Maria Faticov
- Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant SciencesStockholm UniversityStockholmSweden
| | - Markéta Tahadlová
- Biology Centre of Czech Academy of SciencesEntomology InstituteCeske BudejoviceCzech Republic
- Faculty of ScienceUniversity of South BohemiaCeske BudejoviceCzech Republic
| | - Martin Gossner
- Forest EntomologySwiss Federal Research Institute WSLBirmensdorfSwitzerland
- Department of Environmental Systems ScienceInstitute of Terrestrial EcosystemsETH ZürichZürichSwitzerland
| | - Maxime Cauchoix
- Station d'Ecologie Théorique et Expérimentale du CNRSMoulisFrance
| | - Michał Bogdziewicz
- Department of Systematic ZoologyFaculty of BiologyAdam Mickiewicz UniversityPoznanPoland
- Laboratoire EcoSystèmes et Sociétés En MontagneINRAE Univ Grenoble AlpesSaint‐Martin‐d'Hères cedexFrance
| | - Mihai‐Leonard Duduman
- Applied Ecology LabForestry Faculty“Ștefan cel Mare” University of SuceavaSuceavaRomania
| | | | - Mona C. Bjoern
- Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource ManagementUniversity of CopenhagenFrederiksberg CDenmark
| | - Nikita A. Mamaev
- Department of Forest Protection, Wood Science and Game ManagementSaint Petersburg State Forest Technical UniversitySt. PetersburgRussia
| | | | - Rebecca L. Thomas
- Department of Biological SciencesRoyal HollowayUniversity of LondonEghamUK
| | - Ross Wetherbee
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource ManagementNorwegian University of Life SciencesAasNorway
| | - Samantha Green
- Centre for Agroecology, Water and ResilienceCoventry UniversityCoventryUK
| | - Slobodan Milanović
- Department of Forest ProtectionFaculty of ForestryUniversity of BelgradeBelgradeSerbia
- Department of Forest Protection and Wildlife ManagementFaculty of Forestry and Wood TechnologyMendel University in BrnoBrnoCzech Republic
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26
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Dawadi S, Sadof CS. Urban microclimate warming improves overwintering survival of evergreen bagworms. JOURNAL OF URBAN ECOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/jue/juac014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
In the northernmost latitude of North America, the evergreen bagworm, Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis (Haworth), distribution is limited by overwintering temperatures. Urban impervious surfaces such as roads, buildings and parking lots can warm microclimates and create ecological temperature gradients that have the potential to increase the winter survival of insects. To test this hypothesis, we evaluated survival of bagworms over gradients of microclimatic conditions. Bagworms live within spindle-shaped bags constructed from fragments of foliage. In late summer, adult male bagworms fly to bags containing wingless adult females. Mated neotenous females lay eggs within their pupal case. These eggs hatch into larvae during the late spring of the following year and disperse to hosts by ballooning. A total of 2255 bagworm bags were collected from 119 sites in Indiana and Illinois prior to egg hatch in the spring of 2018 and 2019. The maximum temperature during the coldest days of winter was recorded at each site. Up to 25 bagworms were removed from each host plant to assess the overwintering survival of eggs. Survivorship rose as estimates of impervious surface within a 20-m radius increased. Specifically, 50% of bagworm eggs survived at maximum daily temperatures of −19.4°C, −20°C and −20.6°C when plants were surrounded by 25.7%, 48.39% and 50.75% impervious surface, respectively. Egg mortality was not buffered by impervious surfaces at temperatures at or below −21.67°C. Our findings provide insights about how impervious surface in urban areas can provide refugia for marginally hardy insects and improve their chances of surviving the cold of winter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sujan Dawadi
- Entomology Department, Purdue University , 901 W State Street , West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Clifford S Sadof
- Entomology Department, Purdue University , 901 W State Street , West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
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27
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Srisakrapikoop U, Pirie TJ, Fellowes MDE. Urbanization and plant pathogen infection interact to affect the outcome of ecological interactions in an experimental multitrophic system. JOURNAL OF URBAN ECOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/jue/juab039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Urbanization can change interactions in insect communities, and the few studies of tritrophic interactions in urban settings focus on interactions between plants, herbivorous insects and their mutualists and natural enemies. Plant pathogen infection is also widespread and common, and infection may also alter such interactions, but we have no understanding of whether the ecological consequences of pathogen infection vary with urbanization. Using replicated aphid colonies on experimental plants, we investigated how infection by the plant pathogen Botrytis cinerea influences interactions between plants, aphids and the aphid natural enemies and ant mutualists in highly urbanized, suburban and rural study sites. Aphid and natural enemy abundance were highest in the suburban site, while mutualist ants were most abundant in the urban site, reversing the usual positive density-dependent relationship between natural enemies and aphids. The effect of pathogen infection varied with trait and site, mediated by natural enemy preference for hosts or prey on uninfected plants. The effect of infection on aphid abundance was only seen in the suburban site, where natural enemies were most abundant on uninfected plants and aphid numbers were greatest on infected plants. In the urban site, there was no effect of infection, while in the rural site, aphid numbers were lower on infected plants. Uninfected plants were smaller than infected plants and differed between locations. This study suggests that the effects of urbanization on ecological interactions may become more complex and difficult to predict as we study ecological assemblages and communities at greater levels of structural complexity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ussawit Srisakrapikoop
- People and Wildlife Research Group, School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, Whiteknights, Reading, Berkshire RG6 6AS, UK
| | - Tara J Pirie
- People and Wildlife Research Group, School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, Whiteknights, Reading, Berkshire RG6 6AS, UK
| | - Mark D E Fellowes
- People and Wildlife Research Group, School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, Whiteknights, Reading, Berkshire RG6 6AS, UK
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28
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Buenrostro JH, Hufbauer RA. Urban environments have species-specific associations with invasive insect herbivores. JOURNAL OF URBAN ECOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/jue/juac011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Urban forests are critically important for providing ecosystem services to rapidly expanding urban populations, but their health is threatened by invasive insect herbivores. To protect urban forests against invasive insects and support future delivery of ecosystem services, we must first understand the factors that affect insect density across urban landscapes. This study explores how a variety of environmental factors that vary across urban habitats influence density of invasive insects. Specifically, we evaluate how vegetational complexity, distance to buildings, impervious surface, canopy temperature, host availability and density of co-occurring herbivores impact three invasive pests of elm trees: the elm leaf beetle (Xanthogaleruca luteola), the elm flea weevil (Orchestes steppensis) and the elm leafminer (Fenusa ulmi). Insect responses to these factors were species-specific, and all environmental factors were associated with density of at least one pest species except for distance to buildings. Elm leafminer density decreased with higher temperatures and was influenced by an interaction between vegetational complexity and impervious surface. Elm flea weevil density increased with greater host availability, and elm leaf beetle density increased with higher temperatures. Both elm leaf beetle and elm flea weevil density decreased with greater leafminer density, suggesting that insect density is mediated by species interactions. These findings can be used to inform urban pest management and tree care efforts, making urban forests more resilient in an era when globalization and climate change make them particularly vulnerable to attack.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline H Buenrostro
- Department of Agricultural Biology, Colorado State University , Fort Collins, CO 80523-1177, USA
| | - Ruth A Hufbauer
- Department of Agricultural Biology, Colorado State University , Fort Collins, CO 80523-1177, USA
- Graduate Degree Program in Ecology, Colorado State University , Fort Collins, CO 80523-1021, USA
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29
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Escobar-Garcia HA, Ferragut F. Damage and spatiotemporal dynamics of the Ngaio flat mite, Brevipalpus ferraguti (Trombidiformes: Tenuipalpidae), with observations on the development of the female insemination system. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2022; 86:73-90. [PMID: 34739616 PMCID: PMC8702418 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-021-00670-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
We studied the Ngaio flat mite, Brevipalpus ferraguti Ochoa & Beard, on Myoporum laetum (Scrophulariaceae), a common introduced plant used as hedgerows in gardens and green areas of the Mediterranean, where the mite causes considerable damage. We first describe the damage, and then the patterns of mite seasonal abundance and spatial distribution. Finally, we address the development of the female insemination system at the population level. Damage occurs on both sides of the leaves, starting with a uniform stippling and bronzing and ending in the leaves drying out and extensive defoliation that coincides with summer. Mite population peaked between June and August, maintained moderate levels in autumn and winter and reached its lowest density in early spring. Active motile immatures and eggs were present throughout the year. Females and motile immature forms were more abundant on the abaxial (lower) leaf surface, but eggs were deposited on both surfaces indistinctly, suggesting that females actively move to the adaxial (upper) surface in summer to oviposit. All the developmental stages were aggregated on the leaves throughout the year regardless of their population density. Our study suggests that a binomial or presence-absence sampling, examining only the number of females on the abaxial surface, can accurately estimate the total mite density levels. Only 23.5% of females possessed a fully developed spermatheca, whereas in 76.5% of the cases the seminal receptacle was not present or not developed. Females with a complete spermatheca were less abundant in summer. Average temperatures and host plant species affected the occurrence of this reproductive structure.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Francisco Ferragut
- Instituto Agroforestal Mediterráneo, Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia, Spain.
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30
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Heinen‐Kay JL, Kay AD, Zuk M. How urbanization affects sexual communication. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:17625-17650. [PMID: 35003629 PMCID: PMC8717295 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.8328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Revised: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Urbanization is rapidly altering landscapes worldwide, changing environmental conditions, and creating novel selection pressures for many organisms. Local environmental conditions affect the expression and evolution of sexual signals and mating behaviors; changes in such traits have important evolutionary consequences because of their effect on reproduction. In this review, we synthesize research investigating how sexual communication is affected by the environmental changes associated with urbanization-including pollution from noise, light, and heavy metals, habitat fragmentation, impervious surfaces, urban heat islands, and changes in resources and predation. Urbanization often has negative effects on sexual communication through signal masking, altering condition-dependent signal expression, and weakening female preferences. Though there are documented instances of seemingly adaptive shifts in trait expression, the ultimate impact on fitness is rarely tested. The field of urban evolution is still relatively young, and most work has tested whether differences occur in response to various aspects of urbanization. There is limited information available about whether these responses represent phenotypic plasticity or genetic changes, and the extent to which observed shifts in sexual communication affect reproductive fitness. Our understanding of how sexual selection operates in novel, urbanized environments would be bolstered by more studies that perform common garden studies and reciprocal transplants, and that simultaneously evaluate multiple environmental factors to tease out causal drivers of observed phenotypic shifts. Urbanization provides a unique testing ground for evolutionary biologists to study the interplay between ecology and sexual selection, and we suggest that more researchers take advantage of these natural experiments. Furthermore, understanding how sexual communication and mating systems differ between cities and rural areas can offer insights on how to mitigate negative, and accentuate positive, consequences of urban expansion on the biota, and provide new opportunities to underscore the relevance of evolutionary biology in the Anthropocene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justa L. Heinen‐Kay
- Department of Ecology, Evolution & BehaviorUniversity of MinnesotaSt. PaulUSA
| | - Adam D. Kay
- Biology DepartmentUniversity of St. ThomasSt. PaulUSA
| | - Marlene Zuk
- Department of Ecology, Evolution & BehaviorUniversity of MinnesotaSt. PaulUSA
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Della Vechia JF, Zanardi OZ, Kapp ABP, Bassanezi RB, de Andrade DJ. Lethal and sublethal effects of insecticides on the survival and reproduction of Brevipalpus yothersi (Acari: Tenuipalpidae). EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2021; 85:191-204. [PMID: 34739615 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-021-00672-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The overuse of insecticides to control vector insects such as Diaphorina citri Kuwayama in citrus groves has altered the population dynamics of pest mites. Among phytophagous mites, population outbreaks of citrus leprosis mite, Brevipalpus yothersi Baker, have been increasingly intense and frequent in Brazilian citrus groves. Despite the great importance of the B. yothersi mite for citrus production, the lethal and sublethal effects of insecticides on this mite have not yet been studied. Therefore, in this study, the effects of insecticides commonly used for D. citri control on B. yothersi mortality, reproduction, and instantaneous growth rate were assessed. For this, two experiments were carried out, one under controlled conditions and another in a greenhouse. The insecticides tested were beta-cyfluthrin, bifenthrin, buprofezin, chlorpyrifos, dimethoate, pyriproxyfen, and thiamethoxam at 0 (control), 0.0625, 0.125, 0.25, 0.5, 1, and twofold the recommended insecticide concentration for D. citri control. The pyriproxyfen insecticide provided high mortality of B. yothersi even at low concentrations. Furthermore, this insecticide negatively interfered with the reproduction of this mite. Beta-cyfluthrin, bifenthrin, buprofezin, chlorpyrifos, dimethoate, and thiamethoxam, in the tested concentrations, showed low impact on citrus leprosis mite. Regarding the reproduction of the mite, no significant increase in fecundity was observed on B. yothersi females exposed to insecticide residues, regardless of the concentration tested. Therefore, the application of these insecticides in the management of pest insects is unlikely to promote an increase in the citrus leprosis mite population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaqueline Franciosi Della Vechia
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, School of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP/FCAV), Via de Acesso Prof. Paulo Donato Castellane, S/N, Vila Industrial, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, 14884-900, Brazil.
| | - Odimar Zanuzo Zanardi
- Department of Education, Research and Extension, Federal Institute of Santa Catarina (IFSC), São Miguel do Oeste, Santa Catarina, 89900-000, Brazil
| | - Ana Beatriz Piai Kapp
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, School of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP/FCAV), Via de Acesso Prof. Paulo Donato Castellane, S/N, Vila Industrial, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, 14884-900, Brazil
| | | | - Daniel Júnior de Andrade
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, School of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP/FCAV), Via de Acesso Prof. Paulo Donato Castellane, S/N, Vila Industrial, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, 14884-900, Brazil
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Murray‐Stoker D, Johnson MTJ. Ecological consequences of urbanization on a legume–rhizobia mutualism. OIKOS 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/oik.08341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- David Murray‐Stoker
- Dept of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Univ. of Toronto Toronto Ontario Canada
- Dept of Biology, Univ. of Toronto Mississauga Mississauga Ontario Canada
- Centre for Urban Environments, Univ. of Toronto Mississauga Mississauga Ontario Canada
| | - Marc T. J. Johnson
- Dept of Biology, Univ. of Toronto Mississauga Mississauga Ontario Canada
- Centre for Urban Environments, Univ. of Toronto Mississauga Mississauga Ontario Canada
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Rivest SA, Kharouba HM. Anthropogenic disturbance promotes the abundance of a newly introduced butterfly, the European common blue (Polyommatus icarus; Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae), in Canada. CAN J ZOOL 2021. [DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2021-0009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The frequency of introductions of non-native species is increasing worldwide, but only a few introduced species undergo rapid population growth and range expansion, and even fewer become invasive, leading to negative impacts on native communities. Predicting which non-native species are likely to become widespread and abundant can be difficult when there is a lack of species’ information in the early stages of colonization. Here, we investigate the ecology of a newly introduced butterfly in Canada, the European common blue (Polyommatus icarus (Rottemberg, 1775)), by modelling its local- and landscape-scale habitat suitability in Montréal, Quebec, Canada, and the surrounding region, and by assessing its dispersal ability using a mark–release–recapture study. At a local scale, we found that P. icarus abundance was highest at sites with moderate levels of habitat disturbance (e.g., mowed every 2–3 years), the presence of their preferred larval host plant and low proportional cover of grasses. At a landscape scale, P. icarus abundance increased with an increasing proportion of urban area and decreasing proportion of forests. We also found that P. icarus is a low to moderate disperser relative to other butterflies. Our results suggest that P. icarus may become widespread in disturbed and urban areas across Canada, but that further investigation into additional potential range-constraining factors (e.g., microclimate), especially larval preferences, and modelling of the trajectory of P. icarus range expansion is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie A. Rivest
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, 75 Laurier Avenue E, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, 75 Laurier Avenue E, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Heather M. Kharouba
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, 75 Laurier Avenue E, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, 75 Laurier Avenue E, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
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Schmitt L, Burghardt KT. Urbanization as a disrupter and facilitator of insect herbivore behaviors and life cycles. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2021; 45:97-105. [PMID: 33676055 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2021.02.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Revised: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Insect herbivores require a variety of habitats across their life cycle, with behavior often mediating transitions between life stages or habitats. Human management strongly alters urban habitats, yet herbivore behavior is rarely examined in cities. We review the existing literature on several key behaviors: host finding, feeding, egg placement and pupation location, and antipredator defense. We emphasize that unapparent portions of the life cycle, such as the habitat of the overwintering stage, may influence if urbanized areas act as population sources or sinks. Here, management of the soil surface and aboveground biomass are two areas with especially pressing research gaps. Lastly, high variability in urban environments may select for more plastic behaviors or greater generalism. We encourage future research that assesses both behavior and less apparent portions of insect life cycles to determine best practices for conservation and management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Schmitt
- Department of Entomology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - Karin T Burghardt
- Department of Entomology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA.
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Urban areas are favouring the spread of an alien mud-dauber wasp into climatically non-optimal latitudes. ACTA OECOLOGICA 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.actao.2020.103678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Kurucz K, Purger JJ, Batáry P. Urbanization shapes bird communities and nest survival, but not their food quantity. Glob Ecol Conserv 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2021.e01475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
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Meyer S, Rusterholz H, Baur B. Saproxylic insects and fungi in deciduous forests along a rural-urban gradient. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:1634-1652. [PMID: 33613995 PMCID: PMC7882972 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.7152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Revised: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Urbanization is increasing worldwide and is regarded a major threat to biodiversity in forests. As consequences of intensive human use, the vegetation structure of naturally growing urban forests and their amount of deadwood can be reduced. Deadwood is an essential resource for various saproxylic insects and fungi. We assessed the effects of urbanization and forest characteristics on saproxylic insects and fungi. We exposed standardized bundles consisting of each three freshly cut beech and oak branches in 25 forests along a rural-urban gradient in Basel (Switzerland). After an exposure of 8 months, we extracted the saproxylic insects for 10 months using an emergence trap for each bundle. We used drilling chips from each branch to determine fungal operational taxonomic units (OTUs). In all, 193,534 insect individuals emerged from the experimental bundles. Our study showed that the abundance of total saproxylic insects, bark beetles, longhorn beetles, total flies, moths, and ichneumonid wasps decreased with increasing degree of urbanization, but not their species richness. However, the taxonomic composition of all insect groups combined was altered by wood moisture of branches and that of saproxylic beetles was influenced by the degree of urbanization. Unexpectedly, forest size and local forest characteristics had a minor effect on saproxylic insects. ITS (internal transcribed spacer of rDNA) analysis with fungal specific primers revealed a total of 97 fungal OTUs on the bundles. The number of total fungal OTUs decreased with increasing degree of urbanization and was affected by the volume of naturally occurring fine woody debris. The composition of fungal OTUs was altered by the degree of urbanization and pH of the branch wood. As a consequence of the altered compositions of saproxylics, the association between total saproxylic insects and fungi changed along the rural-urban gradient. Our study shows that urbanization can negatively impact saproxylic insects and fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandro Meyer
- Department of Environmental SciencesSection of Conservation BiologyUniversity of BaselBaselSwitzerland
| | - Hans‐Peter Rusterholz
- Department of Environmental SciencesSection of Conservation BiologyUniversity of BaselBaselSwitzerland
| | - Bruno Baur
- Department of Environmental SciencesSection of Conservation BiologyUniversity of BaselBaselSwitzerland
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Corsini M, Schöll EM, Di Lecce I, Chatelain M, Dubiec A, Szulkin M. Growing in the city: Urban evolutionary ecology of avian growth rates. Evol Appl 2021; 14:69-84. [PMID: 33519957 PMCID: PMC7819560 DOI: 10.1111/eva.13081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2020] [Revised: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Rapid environmental change driven by urbanization offers a unique insight into the adaptive potential of urban-dwelling organisms. Urban-driven phenotypic differentiation is increasingly often demonstrated, but the impact of urbanization (here modelled as the percentage of impervious surface (ISA) around each nestbox) on offspring developmental rates and subsequent survival remains poorly understood. Furthermore, the role of selection on urban-driven phenotypic divergence was rarely investigated to date. METHODS AND RESULTS Data on nestling development and body mass were analysed in a gradient of urbanization set in Warsaw, Poland, in two passerine species: great tits (Parus major) and blue tits (Cyanistes caeruleus). Increasing levels of impervious surface area (ISA) delayed the age of fastest growth in blue tits. Nestling body mass was also negatively affected by increasing ISA 5 and 10 days after hatching in great tits, and 10 and 15 days in blue tits, respectively. High levels of ISA also increased nestling mortality 5 and 10 days after hatching in both species. An analysis of selection differentials performed for two levels of urbanization (low and high ISA) revealed a positive association between mass at day 2 and survival at fledging. DISCUSSION This study confirms the considerable negative impact of imperviousness-a proxy for urbanization level-on offspring development, body mass and survival, and highlights increased selection on avian mass at hatching in a high ISA environment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Eva Maria Schöll
- Institute of Wildlife Biology and Game ManagementUniversity of Natural Resources and Life SciencesViennaAustria
| | - Irene Di Lecce
- Centre of New TechnologiesUniversity of WarsawWarsawPoland
| | - Marion Chatelain
- Applied and Trophic EcologyDepartment of ZoologyUniversity of InnsbruckInnsbruckAustria
| | - Anna Dubiec
- Museum and Institute of ZoologyPolish Academy of SciencesWarsawPoland
| | - Marta Szulkin
- Centre of New TechnologiesUniversity of WarsawWarsawPoland
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Abstract
With the process of urbanization, cities are expanding, while forests are declining. Many conditions in the urban habitats are modified compared to those in the rural ones, so the organisms present reactions to these changes. To determine to what extent the habitat type influences insects, we tested the differences in the pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) leaf-mining insect community between urban and rural habitats in Serbia. Lower species richness, abundance, and diversity were determined on trees in the urban environment. Due to the differences in the habitat types, many of the species disappeared, while most of the remaining species declined. The seasonal dynamics of species richness, abundance, and diversity differed between the habitat types. Both rural and urban populations started with low values in May. Subsequently, rural populations gained higher species richness, abundance, and diversity. As about 60% of the leaf miners’ species present in the rural habitats survive on the trees in urban areas, those trees are of great importance as a species reservoir. This is why we need to preserve and strive to improve the condition of urban areas where the pedunculate oak is present.
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Philpott SM, Lucatero A, Bichier P, Egerer MH, Jha S, Lin B, Liere H. Natural enemy-herbivore networks along local management and landscape gradients in urban agroecosystems. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2020; 30:e02201. [PMID: 32578260 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2019] [Revised: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Ecological networks can provide insight into how biodiversity loss and changes in species interactions impact the delivery of ecosystem services. In agroecosystems that vary in management practices, quantifying changes in ecological network structure across gradients of local and landscape composition can inform both the ecology and function of productive agroecosystems. In this study, we examined natural-enemy-herbivore co-occurrence networks associated with Brassica oleracea (cole crops), a common crop in urban agricultural systems. Specifically, we investigated how local management characteristics of urban community gardens and the landscape composition around them affect (1) the abundance of B. oleracea herbivores and their natural enemies, (2) the natural-enemy : herbivore ratio, and (3) natural-enemy-herbivore co-occurrence network metrics. We sampled herbivores and natural enemies in B. oleracea plants in 24 vegetable gardens in the California, USA central coast region. We also collected information on garden characteristics and land-use cover of the surrounding landscape (2 km radius). We found that increased floral richness and B. oleracea abundance were associated with increased parasitoid abundance, non-aphid herbivore abundance, and increased network vulnerability; increased vegetation complexity suppressed parasitoid abundance, but still boosted network vulnerability. High agricultural land-use cover in the landscape surrounding urban gardens was associated with lower predator, parasitoid, and non-aphid herbivore abundance, lower natural-enemy : herbivore ratios, lower interaction richness, and higher trophic complementarity. While we did not directly measure pest control, higher interaction richness, higher vulnerability, and lower trophic complementarity are associated with higher pest control services in other agroecosystems. Thus, if gardens function similarly to other agroecosystems, our results indicate that increasing vegetation complexity, including trees, shrubs, and plant richness, especially within gardens located in intensively farmed landscapes, could potentially enhance the biodiversity and abundance of natural enemies, supporting ecological networks associated with higher pest control services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stacy M Philpott
- Environmental Studies Department, University of California, Santa Cruz, 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, California, 95064, USA
| | - Azucena Lucatero
- Environmental Studies Department, University of California, Santa Cruz, 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, California, 95064, USA
| | - Peter Bichier
- Environmental Studies Department, University of California, Santa Cruz, 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, California, 95064, USA
| | - Monika H Egerer
- Environmental Studies Department, University of California, Santa Cruz, 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, California, 95064, USA
| | - Shalene Jha
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Texas at Austin, 205 W. 24th Street, 401 Biological Laboratories, Austin, Texas, 78712, USA
| | - Brenda Lin
- CSIRO Land and Water Flagship, EcoSciences Precinct, 41 Boggo Road, Dutton Park, Queensland, 4102, Australia
| | - Heidi Liere
- Department of Environmental Studies, Seattle University, 901 12th Avenue, Casey 210, Washington, 98122, USA
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Borden MA, Dale AG. Native and Edible Ornamental Plant Congeners Enhance Ecosystem Services Through Key Pest Avoidance and Multifunctionality in Residential Landscapes. ENVIRONMENTAL ENTOMOLOGY 2020; 49:1206-1213. [PMID: 32860053 DOI: 10.1093/ee/nvaa099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Tea scale, Fiorinia theae Green (Hemiptera: Diaspididae), has long been one of the most important pests of Ilex and Camellia plants, particularly in the southeastern United States. This exotic armored scale insect reduces host plant health and function, and often requires insecticide use, which poses risks to nontarget organisms. While the use of Ilex (Aquifoliales: Aquifoliaceae) and Camellia (Ericales: Theaceae) spp. as landscape ornamentals for aesthetic function is firmly established, we have a poor understanding of species-level susceptibility to F. theae. Additionally, two species, Ilex vomitoria Ait. and Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze are emerging tisane- and tea-producing commodities in the region, respectively. We propose that these consumable plants may be well-suited alternatives to their traditionally used ornamental congeners in residential landscapes where they may provide enhanced ecosystem services. However, the potential impact of key pests, like F. theae, on these species should be evaluated to anticipate pest pressure that may undermine or offset benefits. In this study, we examine six species within the known host range of tea scale, comparing nonnative I. cornuta Lindl. 'Dwarf Burford,' C. japonica L., C. sasanqua Thunb., and C. sinensis, along with native I. opaca Ait. and I. vomitoria. We found that plant species show a wide range of susceptibility to F. theae and associated damage, with the two native Ilex species and tea-producing C. sinensis displaying the least susceptibility. By reducing the impact of a key pest and considering other ecosystem service traits, these results may help guide more sustainable plant selection decisions where the goal is to integrate native and edible plants into residential landscapes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew A Borden
- Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
| | - Adam G Dale
- Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
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Urbanization alters the abundance and composition of predator communities and leads to aphid outbreaks on urban trees. Urban Ecosyst 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s11252-020-01061-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
AbstractUrbanization can affect arthropod abundance in different ways. While species with narrow habitat range and low dispersal ability often respond negatively to urban environments, many habitat generalist species with good dispersal ability reach high densities in city centers. This filtering effect of urban habitats can strongly influence predator-prey-mutualist interactions and may therefore affect the abundance of predatory and phytophagous species both directly and indirectly. Here, we assessed the effect of urbanization on aphids, predatory arthropods, and ants on field maple (Acer campestre) trees in and around the city of Budapest, Hungary. We used the percentage of impervious surfaces within a 500 m radius of each site as an index of the degree of urbanization. We found that the abundance of aphids increased with increasing level of urbanization. However, abundance of predatory arthropods and occurrence of poorly dispersing species within the predator community were negatively related to urbanization, and we identified these two independent factors as significant predictors of aphid abundances. The abundance of ants decreased with urbanization, and contrary to our expectations, did not affect the abundance pattern of aphids. Our results suggest that urbanization, by altering the abundance and composition of predator communities, can disrupt biological control of aphid populations, and thus may contribute to the aphid outbreaks on urban trees.
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Weaver AK, Hood GR, Foster M, Egan SP. Trade-off between fecundity and survival generates stabilizing selection on gall size. Ecol Evol 2020; 10:10207-10218. [PMID: 33005376 PMCID: PMC7520187 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.6682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Revised: 06/27/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Complex interactions within multitrophic communities are fundamental to the evolution of individual species that reside within them. One common outcome of species interactions are fitness trade-offs, where traits adaptive in some circumstances are maladaptive in others. Here, we identify a fitness trade-off between fecundity and survival in the cynipid wasp Callirhytis quercusbatatoides that induces multichambered galls on the stem of its host plant Quercus virginiana. We first quantified this trade-off in natural populations by documenting two relationships: a positive association between the trait gall size and fecundity, as larger galls contain more offspring, and a negative association between gall size and survival, as larger galls are attacked by birds at a higher rate. Next, we performed a field-based experimental evolution study where birds were excluded from the entire canopy of 11 large host trees for five years. As a result of the five-year release from avian predators, we observed a significant shift to larger galls per tree. Overall, our study demonstrates how two opposing forces of selection can generate stabilizing selection on a critical phenotypic trait in wild populations, and how traits can evolve rapidly in the predicted direction when conditions change.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Glen Ray Hood
- Department of BioSciencesRice UniversityHoustonTXUSA
- Department of Biological SciencesWayne State UniversityDetroitMIUSA
| | | | - Scott P. Egan
- Department of BioSciencesRice UniversityHoustonTXUSA
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Mody K, Lerch D, Müller AK, Simons NK, Blüthgen N, Harnisch M. Flower power in the city: Replacing roadside shrubs by wildflower meadows increases insect numbers and reduces maintenance costs. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0234327. [PMID: 32516354 PMCID: PMC7282654 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0234327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Massive declines in insect biodiversity and biomass are reported from many regions and habitats. In urban areas, creation of native wildflower meadows is one option to support insects and reduce maintenance costs of urban green spaces. However, benefits for insect conservation may depend on previous land use, and the size and location of new wildflower meadows. We show effects of conversion of roadside plantings-from exotic shrubs into wildflower meadows-on (1) the abundance of 13 arthropod taxa-Opiliones, Araneae, Isopoda, Collembola, Orthoptera, Aphidoidea, Auchenorrhyncha, Heteroptera, Coleoptera, Nematocera, Brachycera, Apocrita, Formicidae-and (2) changes in maintenance costs. We assessed the influence of vegetation type (meadow vs. woody), meadow age, size, location (distance to city boundary), and mowing regime. We found many, but not all, arthropod taxa profiting from meadows in terms of arthropod activity abundance in pitfall traps and arthropod density in standardized suction samples. Arthropod number in meadows was 212% higher in pitfall traps and 260% higher in suction samples compared to woody vegetation. The increased arthropod number in meadows was independent of the size and isolation of green spaces for most taxa. However, mowing regime strongly affected several arthropod taxa, with an increase of 63% of total arthropod density in unmown compared to mown meadow spots. Costs of green space maintenance were fivefold lower for meadows than for woody vegetation. Our study shows that (1) many different arthropod taxa occur in roadside vegetation in urban areas, (2) replacement of exotic woody vegetation by native wildflower meadows can significantly increase arthropod abundance, especially if meadow management permits temporarily unmown areas, and (3) maintenance costs can be considerably reduced by converting woody plantings into wildflower meadows. Considering many groups of arthropods, our study provides new insights into possible measures to support arthropods in urban environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karsten Mody
- Ecological Networks, Technical University of Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Doris Lerch
- Ecological Networks, Technical University of Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Ann-Kathrin Müller
- Ecological Networks, Technical University of Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Nadja K. Simons
- Ecological Networks, Technical University of Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Nico Blüthgen
- Ecological Networks, Technical University of Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
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Jesse WAM, Molleman J, Franken O, Lammers M, Berg MP, Behm JE, Helmus MR, Ellers J. Disentangling the effects of plant species invasion and urban development on arthropod community composition. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2020; 26:3294-3306. [PMID: 32216012 PMCID: PMC7317202 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.15091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2019] [Revised: 02/12/2020] [Accepted: 03/07/2020] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Urban development and species invasion are two major global threats to biodiversity. These threats often co-occur, as developed areas are more prone to species invasion. However, few empirical studies have tested if both factors affect biodiversity in similar ways. Here we study the individual and combined effects of urban development and plant invasion on the composition of arthropod communities. We assessed 36 paired invaded and non-invaded sample plots, invaded by the plant Antigonon leptopus, with half of these pairs located in natural and the other half in developed land-use types on the Caribbean island of St. Eustatius. We used several taxonomic and functional variables to describe community composition and diversity. Our results show that both urban development and A. leptopus invasion affected community composition, albeit in different ways. Development significantly increased species richness and exponential Shannon diversity, while invasion had no effect on these variables. However, invasion significantly increased arthropod abundance and caused biotic homogenization. Specifically, uninvaded arthropod communities were distinctly different in species composition between developed and natural sites, while they became undistinguishable after A. leptopus invasion. Moreover, functional variables were significantly affected by species invasion, but not by urban development. Invaded communities had higher community-weighted mean body size and the feeding guild composition of invaded arthropod communities was characterized by the exceptional numbers of nectarivores, herbivores, and detritivores. With the exception of species richness and exponential Shannon diversity, invasion influenced four out of six response variables to a greater degree than urban development did. Hence, we can conclude that species invasion is not just a passenger of urban development but also a driver of change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wendy A. M. Jesse
- Department of Ecological Science – Animal EcologyVrije Universiteit AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Jasper Molleman
- Department of Ecological Science – Animal EcologyVrije Universiteit AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Oscar Franken
- Department of Ecological Science – Animal EcologyVrije Universiteit AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Mark Lammers
- Department of Ecological Science – Animal EcologyVrije Universiteit AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
- Institute for Evolution and BiodiversityUniversity of MünsterMünsterGermany
| | - Matty P. Berg
- Department of Ecological Science – Animal EcologyVrije Universiteit AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences – Community and Conservation EcologyUniversity of GroningenGroningenThe Netherlands
| | - Jocelyn E. Behm
- Integrative Ecology LabCenter for BiodiversityDepartment of BiologyTemple UniversityPhiladelphiaPAUSA
| | - Matthew R. Helmus
- Integrative Ecology LabCenter for BiodiversityDepartment of BiologyTemple UniversityPhiladelphiaPAUSA
| | - Jacintha Ellers
- Department of Ecological Science – Animal EcologyVrije Universiteit AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
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Pisman M, Bonte D, de la Peña E. Urbanization alters plastic responses in the common dandelion Taraxacum officinale. Ecol Evol 2020; 10:4082-4090. [PMID: 32489632 PMCID: PMC7244812 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.6176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2019] [Revised: 01/30/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Urban environments expose species to contrasting selection pressures relative to rural areas due to altered microclimatic conditions, habitat fragmentation, and changes in species interactions. To improve our understanding on how urbanization impacts selection through biotic interactions, we assessed differences in plant defense and tolerance, dispersal, and flowering phenology of a common plant species (Taraxacum officinale) along an urbanization gradient and their reaction norms in response to a biotic stressor (i.e., herbivory). We raised plants from 45 lines collected along an urbanization gradient under common garden conditions and assessed the impact of herbivory on plant growth (i.e., aboveground biomass), dispersal capacity (i.e., seed morphology), and plant phenology (i.e., early seed production) by exposing half of our plants to two events of herbivory (i.e., grazing by locusts). Independent from their genetic background, all plants consistently increased their resistance to herbivores by which the second exposure to locusts resulted in lower levels of damage suffered. Herbivory had consistent effects on seed pappus length, with seeds showing a longer pappus (and, hence, increased dispersal capacities) regardless of urbanization level. Aboveground plant biomass was neither affected by urbanization nor herbivore presence. In contrast to consistent responses in plant defenses and pappus length, plant fitness did vary between lines. Urban lines had a reduced early seed production following herbivory while rural and suburban lines did not show any plastic response. Our results show that herbivory affects plant phenotypes but more importantly that differences in herbivory reaction norms exist between urban and rural populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matti Pisman
- Terrestrial Ecology Unit (TEREC)Department of BiologyGhent UniversityGentBelgium
| | - Dries Bonte
- Terrestrial Ecology Unit (TEREC)Department of BiologyGhent UniversityGentBelgium
| | - Eduardo de la Peña
- Terrestrial Ecology Unit (TEREC)Department of BiologyGhent UniversityGentBelgium
- Institute for Subtropical and Mediterranean HorticultureFinca Experimental La MayoraSpanish National Research Council (IHSM‐UMA‐CSIC)MalagaSpain
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47
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Rocha EA, Fellowes MDE. Urbanisation alters ecological interactions: Ant mutualists increase and specialist insect predators decrease on an urban gradient. Sci Rep 2020; 10:6406. [PMID: 32286349 PMCID: PMC7156700 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-62422-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2019] [Accepted: 03/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The modification of habitats in urban areas is thought to alter patterns of species interactions, by filtering specialist species and those at higher trophic levels. However, empirical studies addressing these hypotheses remain limited in scope and number. This work investigates (1) how main urban land uses affect predator-prey and mutualistic interactions, and (2) how specialist and generalist predators respond to size and availability of urban green spaces. In a large town in the UK, experimental colonies of ant-attended Black bean aphid Aphis fabae and non-ant-attended Pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum were monitored over two years. Ants were more frequently found in highly urbanised sites; however mutualistic ants were also more often encountered when the habitat was more plant diverse. Aphids were not affected by urban land uses, but A. fabae numbers were positively related to the presence of mutualists, and so indirectly affected by urbanisation. Predators were the only group negatively affected by increased urbanisation, and specialist species were positively related to increased proportion of urban green areas within the habitats. While this work supports the hypothesis that specialist predators are negatively affected by urbanisation, we also show that a fundamental ecological interaction, mutualism, is affected by urbanisation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elise A Rocha
- People and Wildlife Research Group, School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, Whiteknights, Reading, Berkshire, RG6 6AS, UK.
| | - Mark D E Fellowes
- People and Wildlife Research Group, School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, Whiteknights, Reading, Berkshire, RG6 6AS, UK.
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48
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Santangelo JS, Thompson KA, Cohan B, Syed J, Ness RW, Johnson MTJ. Predicting the strength of urban-rural clines in a Mendelian polymorphism along a latitudinal gradient. Evol Lett 2020; 4:212-225. [PMID: 32547782 PMCID: PMC7293085 DOI: 10.1002/evl3.163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2019] [Revised: 12/19/2019] [Accepted: 02/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Cities are emerging as models for addressing the fundamental question of whether populations evolve in parallel to similar environments. Here, we examine the environmental factors that drive the evolution of parallel urban‐rural clines in a Mendelian trait—the cyanogenic antiherbivore defense of white clover (Trifolium repens). Previous work suggested urban‐rural gradients in frost and snow depth could drive the evolution of reduced hydrogen cyanide (HCN) frequencies in urban populations. Here, we sampled over 700 urban and rural clover populations across 16 cities along a latitudinal transect in eastern North America. In each population, we quantified changes in the frequency of genotypes that produce HCN, and in a subset of the cities we estimated the frequency of the alleles at the two genes (CYP79D15 and Li) that epistatically interact to produce HCN. We then tested the hypothesis that cold climatic conditions are necessary for the evolution of cyanogenesis clines by comparing the strength of clines among cities located along a latitudinal gradient of winter temperature and frost exposure. Overall, half of the cities exhibited urban‐rural clines in the frequency of HCN, whereby urban populations evolved lower HCN frequencies. Clines did not evolve in cities with the lowest temperatures and greatest snowfall, supporting the hypothesis that snow buffers plants against winter frost and constrains the formation of clines. By contrast, the strongest clines occurred in the warmest cities where snow and frost are rare, suggesting that alternative selective agents are maintaining clines in warmer cities. Some clines were driven by evolution at only CYP79D15, consistent with stronger and more consistent selection on this locus than on Li. Together, our results demonstrate that urban environments often select for similar phenotypes, but different selective agents and targets underlie the evolutionary response in different cities.
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Affiliation(s)
- James S Santangelo
- Department of Biology University of Toronto Mississauga Mississauga ON L5L 1C6 Canada.,Centre for Urban Environments University of Toronto Mississauga Mississauga ON L5L 1C6 Canada.,Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of Toronto Toronto ON M5S 3B2 Canada
| | - Ken A Thompson
- Department of Zoology and Biodiversity Research Centre University of British Columbia Vancouver BC V6T 1Z4 Canada
| | - Beata Cohan
- Department of Biology University of Toronto Mississauga Mississauga ON L5L 1C6 Canada
| | - Jibran Syed
- Department of Biology University of Toronto Mississauga Mississauga ON L5L 1C6 Canada
| | - Rob W Ness
- Department of Biology University of Toronto Mississauga Mississauga ON L5L 1C6 Canada.,Centre for Urban Environments University of Toronto Mississauga Mississauga ON L5L 1C6 Canada.,Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of Toronto Toronto ON M5S 3B2 Canada
| | - Marc T J Johnson
- Department of Biology University of Toronto Mississauga Mississauga ON L5L 1C6 Canada.,Centre for Urban Environments University of Toronto Mississauga Mississauga ON L5L 1C6 Canada.,Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of Toronto Toronto ON M5S 3B2 Canada
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49
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Egerer M, Liere H, Lucatero A, Philpott SM. Plant damage in urban agroecosystems varies with local and landscape factors. Ecosphere 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Monika Egerer
- Department of Environmental Studies University of California Santa Cruz California 95060 USA
| | - Heidi Liere
- Department of Environmental Studies Seattle University Seattle Washington 98122 USA
| | - Azucena Lucatero
- Department of Environmental Studies University of California Santa Cruz California 95060 USA
| | - Stacy M. Philpott
- Department of Environmental Studies University of California Santa Cruz California 95060 USA
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50
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Frank SD, Just MG. Can Cities Activate Sleeper Species and Predict Future Forest Pests? A Case Study of Scale Insects. INSECTS 2020; 11:E142. [PMID: 32106554 PMCID: PMC7142728 DOI: 10.3390/insects11030142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2020] [Revised: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Sleeper species are innocuous native or naturalized species that exhibit invasive characteristics and become pests in response to environmental change. Climate warming is expected to increase arthropod damage in forests, in part, by transforming innocuous herbivores into severe pests: awakening sleeper species. Urban areas are warmer than natural areas due to the urban heat island effect and so the trees and pests in cities already experience temperatures predicted to occur in 50-100 years. We posit that arthropod species that become pests of urban trees are those that benefit from warming and thus should be monitored as potential sleeper species in forests. We illustrate this with two case studies of scale insects that are important pests of urban trees in parts of the US. Melanaspis tenebricosa and Parthenolecanium quercifex are geographically native to the US but take on invasive characteristics such as higher survival and reproduction and become disconnected from natural enemies on urban trees due to the urban heat island effect. This allows them to reach high densities and damage their host trees. Parthenolecanium quercifex density increases up to 12 times on urban willow oaks with just 2 °C of warming due to higher survival and adaptation to warmer temperatures. The urban heat island effect also creates a phenological mismatch between P. quercifex and its parasitoid complex, and so egg production is higher. Melanaspis tenebricosa density can increase 300 times on urban red maples with 2.5 °C of warming. This too is due to direct effects of warmer temperatures on survival and fecundity but M. tenebricosa also benefits from the drought stress incurred by warmer urban trees. These effects combine to increase M. tenebricosa density in forests as well as on urban trees at latitudes higher than its native range. We illustrate how cities provide a unique opportunity to study the complex effects of warming on insect herbivores. Studying pestilent urban species could be a pragmatic approach for identifying and preparing for sleeper species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven D. Frank
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Campus Box 7613, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA;
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